President: Aim is to make police a professional service of highest standard

It is a top priority of the administration to develop Maldives Police Service to make it a professional service of the highest standard, states President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

He made the remark during the closing of the 34th police initial training course at Addu City on Saturday night.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Solih said police are there to serve the people, and their upmost duty is to protect the human rights of the people.

He called on the police to ensure they protect and uphold the human rights of people in serving their duties.

“It is a great priority of the administration to develop Maldives Police Service and make it a professional service of the highest standard,” he said.

President Solih said that international community has confidence in the professionalism and capability of Maldives police, with Maldivian police serving a key role at Interpol to establish peace and security in the world, and showing an example to other countries.

He said that in order for the police to be the most effective, they must focus on solving the issues of greatest concern to the community.

This is the very purpose of the neighborhood police system, he said.

“Policing is always hard and fraught with challenges. The biggest and most longstanding issue facing the community is drugs. Despite the major challenges, police and other law enforcement agencies are engaged in multiple efforts to stop drug trafficking,” he said.

President Solih said that the police also play a key role in stopping violence against women and children.

As awareness over such issues rise, so too is anonymous reports on such cases, he said.

“This is significantly helping police stop such issues. And helping facilitate proper protection to victims,” he said.

President Solih said that the police face numerous challenges, but must work to maintain professionalism, above all.

"What each of you police officers must keep in mind is, the police institution is a great big family. It is your responsibility to maintain the unity and reputation of your family,” he said.

President Solih said that the actions of a single police officer could put the reputation of the entire police force at risk, damaging public confidence in the police.

The biggest priority should be to maintain public confidence in the police, he said.